Masterpiece Airs: David Copperfield Airs, Mar 15th and 22nd

abstract:Fans of Dickens' epic novel David Copperfield get to have a sneak preview of actors David Radcliffe and Ian McKellen who star in the two-part episode on MasterpieceMarch 15 and 22nd. In the videotaped interview hear Daniel Radcliffe talk about what it was like to audition for his debut film role at the age of 9, and subsequently shoot the drama just as he turned 10. Harry Potter would become his next role. There's a short clip of Sir Ian McKellen describing why he likes playing Mr. Creakle, who we all know to be "the bad guy" in the story. (View Clip)
Meanwhile, the good people at WGBH Boston PBS have compiled a stunning list of resources to accompany your viewing/reading of this classic. The Teacher’s Guide for Dickens and the Book & Film Club resources for Dickens are live and also accessible from the home page. Join the MASTERPIECE BOOK & FILM CLUB today, and stay in touch with like-minded readers.

article:March 07, 2009 —

Powerful Social Commentary

At a time when Britain was the major economic and political power of the world, Dickens highlighted the life of the forgotten poor and disadvantaged at the heart of empire. Through his journalism he campaigned on specific issues—such as sanitation and the workhouse—but his fiction probably demonstrated its greatest prowess in changing public opinion in regard to class inequalities. He often depicted the exploitation and repression of the poor and condemned the public officials and institutions that not only allowed such abuses to exist, but flourished as a result.

Another writer who took up the cause of social reform was Mark Twain, whose writing helped to bring about the abolishment of slavery in the UK. Unfortunately, that did not come to America until the tumultant 60's.

SynopsisRead a full synopsis of both parts to the story.Characters
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The Dickens Project offers an annual High School Student Scholarship Essay Contest. Two high school students and their teachers can win a scholarship to study Dickens at The Dickens Universe, a conference of scholars and the general public, hosted each summer by the University of California, Santa Cruz. Students enter the contest by submitting an essay on a specific topic. The winning essays are published on The Dickens Project website and circulated at The Dickens Universe. The deadline for this year's contest is March 18, 2009.

The Masterpiece Book & Film Resources

Book Giveaway
Sign up for a chance to win copies of David Copperfield, (Penguin) and David Copperfield (Masterpiece DVD). Don't forget to subscribe to the Masterpiece e-Newsletter.

Join The Book & Film Club

Here's how to join BookBuffet's own "Masterpiece Book To Film Group."
On the BookBuffet website home page, click: JOIN
Select: "Invited to join an existing group."
Type: Masterpiece Book To Film Group
Then type your own member details. That's it!
You will see the "current book" posted on the group calendar, as well as the dates the series airs on television. You'll be on the member list and receive email updates on new content such as podcasts and WGBH material. You'll also be able to chat on the online forum for this group. JOIN TODAY

For our in-depth interview with Masterpiece Executive Producer of 20 years, Rebecca Easton, click on the following BookBuffet Podcast.